Construction Cleanup, Sweeping & Pool Filling FAQ's - Phoenix, AZ

Construction FAQs

Why do I want a driver with the water truck, why not rent one and operate it myself?

A truck without a driver is a rental and therefore a taxable transaction. A truck and driver is a service and not taxable. A truck rental will usually require the renter to provide fuel, and any required service, i.e. tires, damages, insurance, etc. When you rent, these additional costs appear as add-ons, and you pay for the entire rental period, not just the time used. If you supply the driver, then you’re also incurring payroll and payroll taxes to add to your costs for an employee who may not be proficient in this duty or certified by Maricopa County Air Quality Department. Additionally, all Agua Trucks LLC require a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with a Tanker Endorsement.

Why are independent spray heads important?

Many water trucks have only three sets of controls: one for both back sprays, one for both front sprays, and one for the side or top spray. Our water trucks have independent spray controls for each spray head allowing the driver to direct the spray to any one or combination of spray heads. This is particularly beneficial for operating in neighborhoods, confined or heavy traffic areas. Agua Trucks LLC Inc does not spray vertical construction, and this additional control allows Agua Trucks LLC Inc to cover areas other trucks would either deliver unwanted water to or miss entirely in one pass. The fewer passes required, the less time required, and the less cost to the customer.

Is there a minimum?

Starting in 2016 we no longer charge a minimum time (except weekends, late nights and holidays) Locations inside of the Phoenix Metro area we will charge from point of deployment (one way trip) and until the job is complete. Locations outside of the Phoenix Metro area, such as but not limited to Anthem, Buckeye, Apache Junction, Casa Grande. North Scottsdale and Maricopa; basically anyplace with a stretch of highway between there and Phoenix, the clock keeps running until they get back to the metropolitan area. We will round up by the ¼ hour. Note: point of deployment doesn’t mean what yard, it means from wherever the truck comes from.

Weekends, late nights and holidays have a 6 hour minimum and round trip charge. The reason is that since we do not normally work this equipment these hours it is an employee’s/truck entire shift.

When does the clock start?

The clock starts when the truck begins it journey to your water source for water trucks or the site for sweepers. If you are in the metropolitan area, it stops when we leave your site. If you are outside then it stops when the truck returns to town. If your water source is not located on your site drive time from the water source to your site would be included in your charges.

Why the fuel or trip charges?

If you drive in the valley, you know that traffic doesn’t flow smoothly especially during the rush hour. We must cover fuel and labor cost. There are many variables. Locations inside of the Phoenix Metro area we will charge from point of deployment (one way trip) and until the job is complete. Locations outside of the Phoenix Metro area, such as but not limited to Anthem, Buckeye, Apache Junction, Casa Grande. North Scottsdale and Maricopa; basically anyplace with a stretch of highway between there and Phoenix, the clock keeps running until they get back to the metropolitan area. We will round up by the ¼ hour. Note: point of deployment doesn’t mean what yard, it means from wherever the truck comes from.. We do a lot of work on the edges of the metro area, so just because you are on the outskirts does not equate to huge charges.

What does Maricopa County Air Quality department have to do with the service?

Due to the failure of Maricopa County to meet the EPA’s air quality standards for PM10, federal funding for roads and improvements is in jeopardy for the county. Maricopa County Air Quality department has modeled their rules after those of Clark County, Nevada (Clark County met the standards using these rules). Maricopa County has added inspectors to ensure enforcement of the rules at all hours, which additionally requires all Water Truck and Water Pull drivers to be certified and registered with them. All Agua Trucks LLC water truck drivers are registered and certified. Agua Trucks LLC is also a registered subcontractor with Maricopa County. The new rules are available in their entirety on the Maricopa County Air Quality department website – www.maricopa.gov/aq/.

I’m not in construction, but I have vacant dirt. I understand I am responsible to control dust from the property. What are my options outside of getting fined?

There are actually a couple of options, depending on the amount of traffic on the land, the size of the property, availability of water to the site, and the amount of time it will be a concern, etc.:

It can be sprayed with water on a regular basis to develop a crust and thereafter minimally to maintain the crust. Agua Trucks LLCcan both spray the water and test the crust.

It can be stabilized with a soil stabilizer (commonly known as dirt glue). Agua Trucks LLC Inc can apply the soil stabilizer.

Why would I pick an Agua Trailer rental over an Agua Trucks LLC service?

The Agua Trailer (Water Wagon) is a 500 gallon tank on a tandem axle trailer with a 5.5 hp pump that has both garden hose and 1.5 inch hose connections and a rear spray bar. It can be towed to distribute water from the rear, or remain stationary for hose access on demand. This can mean water is available to your trades on demand, and at any hour. The Agua Trailer can be used to supplement the truck service or stand-alone depending on your needs. Additional charges associated with rentals are: taxes, and may include delivery and insurance. Delivery charges are dependent on rental period. Insurance is dependent on the rental agreement.

What if I don’t have a water source?

Agua Trucks LLC Inc may provide water at an additional cost. In this case, there may be some drive time charges to accompany this service depending on location of your site and our water source. Any additional cost(s) will be detailed on your invoice.

What happens when I pass my minimum time charge?

Each job is recorded on a log sheet by the driver starting with arrival time. When the job is completed, the time is recorded in Time-Out and duties performed are logged in the description line. If the time elapsed is over the minimum, the total time is calculated at quarter hour intervals.

Do you ever do small jobs?

Yes. If you need water truck or sweeper service, we do it. We have had the opportunity to provide dust control at several outdoor events such as Carnivals and Fall Festivals. We have supplied water for several TV commercials, swept for one-time events. Filled a dunk tank. Since we operate evenings and weekends we can usually accommodate the needs of your event. Call us.

I have a dirt/sand mess I need to get cleaned up, what is the best option a sweeper or a water truck?

Depends, let’s start by thinking small. Imagine someone spilled a bucket of dirt on your driveway. How would you clean it? Generally you would first sweep it up with a broom and a dust pan and then you may use a garden hose to finish. That being said, it is always advisable to have a sweeper remove as much material as possible before a water truck flushes. If you are still unsure, we will make a site visit and suggest the most cost effective option.

Maricopa County says I need to maintain records for my dust control measures, how can you help?

You are given a log that is clear for the dust inspector to see. We can leave a hard copy or e-mail it. Put it in your book and you are done.

How far in advance should I schedule service?

To insure your time frame is met, you should schedule as far in advance as possible. We rarely need more than a week’s notice unless you project is going to tie up more than one truck for multiple days. We respond to daily calls of "how soon can you get here?" every day, but they are handled on a first come first served order.

Will a sweeper remove stains?

No. A sweeper picks up stuff that is on the ground. Just as a hand push broom or vacuum cleaner would.

How do I know you were there when you said you were?

Along with our service logs that are left or emailed to you, you may request the GPS tracking report to be emailed to you. It will show exactly where the truck was, how fast it was moving, its path and direction of travel and the time. This report is available up to one year from the time of service. With prior arrangements, you may also request a photo of the completed job.

What happens to the trash the sweeper picks up?

It can be dumped at your site/property. Most of our sweepers can dump into your dumpster for trash and litter. This costs you nothing and we clean around the dumpster after using it.

For an additional charge it can be hauled from your site to the dump.

How often should I sweep?

This totally depends on the traffic and how much litter or debris is there. Something to consider is the more frequent you sweep, the less expensive each sweep is, because it doesn’t take us as long.

What is the difference between a broom and regenerative air sweeper?

In very simple terms it is like the difference between using a push broom with a dust pan or a vacuum cleaner. While both use steel bristled gutter brooms to scrub the surface and send the debris to the center of the machine to be picked up, the broom sweeper uses a huge main broom at the back to sweep the material onto the elevator system and then into the hopper, while a regenerative air machine will use a pick up head that has a blast orifice in it to swirl and make the debris airborne in the pick-up head to be sucked into the hopper. A regenerative machine also used the same air circulating in the system as opposed to exhausting it outside. Our large regenerative air machine has a main broom inside of the pickup head, giving it the best of both type sweepers.

Sweeping FAQs

Is there a minimum?

Starting in 2016 we no longer charge a minimum time (except weekends, late nights and holidays) Locations inside of the Phoenix Metro area we will charge from point of deployment (one way trip) and until the job is complete. Locations outside of the Phoenix Metro area, such as but not limited to Anthem, Buckeye, Apache Junction, Casa Grande. North Scottsdale and Maricopa; basically anyplace with a stretch of highway between there and Phoenix, the clock keeps running until they get back to the metropolitan area. We will round up by the ¼ hour. Note: point of deployment doesn’t mean what yard, it means from wherever the truck comes from.

Weekends, late nights and holidays have a 6 hour minimum and round trip charge. The reason is that since we do not normally work this equipment these hours it is an employee’s/truck entire shift.

When does the clock start?

The clock starts when the truck begins it journey to your water source for water trucks or the site for sweepers. If you are in the metropolitan area, it stops when we leave your site. If you are outside then it stops when the truck returns to town. If your water source is not located on your site drive time from the water source to your site would be included in your charges.

Why the fuel or trip charges?

If you drive in the valley, you know that traffic doesn’t flow smoothly especially during the rush hour. We must cover fuel and labor cost. There are many variables. Locations inside of the Phoenix Metro area we will charge from point of deployment (one way trip) and until the job is complete. Locations outside of the Phoenix Metro area, such as but not limited to Anthem, Buckeye, Apache Junction, Casa Grande. North Scottsdale and Maricopa; basically anyplace with a stretch of highway between there and Phoenix, the clock keeps running until they get back to the metropolitan area. We will round up by the ¼ hour. Note: point of deployment doesn’t mean what yard, it means from wherever the truck comes from.. We do a lot of work on the edges of the metro area, so just because you are on the outskirts does not equate to huge charges.

What does Maricopa County Air Quality department have to do with the service?

Due to the failure of Maricopa County to meet the EPA’s air quality standards for PM10, federal funding for roads and improvements is in jeopardy for the county. Maricopa County Air Quality department has modeled their rules after those of Clark County, Nevada (Clark County met the standards using these rules). Maricopa County has added inspectors to ensure enforcement of the rules at all hours, which additionally requires all Water Truck and Water Pull drivers to be certified and registered with them. All Agua Trucks LLC water truck drivers are registered and certified. Agua Trucks LLC is also a registered subcontractor with Maricopa County. The new rules are available in their entirety on the Maricopa County Air Quality department website – www.maricopa.gov/aq/.

I’m not in construction, but I have vacant dirt. I understand I am responsible to control dust from the property. What are my options outside of getting fined?

There are actually a couple of options, depending on the amount of traffic on the land, the size of the property, availability of water to the site, and the amount of time it will be a concern, etc.:

It can be sprayed with water on a regular basis to develop a crust and thereafter minimally to maintain the crust. Agua Trucks LLCcan both spray the water and test the crust.

It can be stabilized with a soil stabilizer (commonly known as dirt glue). Agua Trucks LLC Inc can apply the soil stabilizer.

What if I don’t have a water source?

Agua Trucks LLC Inc may provide water at an additional cost. In this case, there may be some drive time charges to accompany this service depending on location of your site and our water source. Any additional cost(s) will be detailed on your invoice.

Do you ever do small jobs?

Yes. If you need water truck or sweeper service, we do it. We have had the opportunity to provide dust control at several outdoor events such as Carnivals and Fall Festivals. We have supplied water for several TV commercials, swept for one-time events. Filled a dunk tank. Since we operate evenings and weekends we can usually accommodate the needs of your event. Call us

How do I decide what Sweeper Size is needed?

There are 3 basic sweeper sizes and they price differently. The easiest answer is: Call for a free quote, site visit, and discussion about your needs and budgetary concerns. Here is some information to consider:

Small – Parking Lot size, fits in garages and under awnings, carries a backpack blower for corners that can’t be reached with the sweeping unit. Picks up light debris i.e. paper, plastic, leaves, etc. Typically a quiet operation, one gas engine operates truck and sweeping unit.

Mid-size – Can be either Regenerative air (vacuum) or Broom (mechanical main broom). Both of these have gutter brooms, for curb and gutter sweeping and have an 8 foot sweeping path. Ours carry backpack blowers for corners that can’t be reached with the sweeping unit. Medium sweepers are typically used for heavier material on either parking lots, construction sites or streets in neighborhoods. They have a dust suppression system that is PM10 compliant.

Large – Can be either Regenerative air (Vacuum) with broom assist or Broom (mechanical main broom). Both of these have gutter brooms, for curb, gutter and scraping, and have an 11’8” sweeping path. These are typically used for heavier material on streets, construction sites or highways, and carry more volume than the Medium sweepers. They have a dust suppression system that is PM10 compliant.

All Agua Trucks LLC sweepers carry a push broom and scraper for any detail work required.

I have a dirt/sand mess I need to get cleaned up, what is the best option a sweeper or a water truck?

Depends, let’s start by thinking small. Imagine someone spilled a bucket of dirt on your driveway. How would you clean it? Generally you would first sweep it up with a broom and a dust pan and then you may use a garden hose to finish. That being said, it is always advisable to have a sweeper remove as much material as possible before a water truck flushes. If you are still unsure, we will make a site visit and suggest the most cost effective option.

Maricopa County says I need to maintain records for my dust control measures, how can you help?

You are given a log that is clear for the dust inspector to see. We can leave a hard copy or e-mail it. Put it in your book and you are done.

How far in advance should I schedule service?

To insure your time frame is met, you should schedule as far in advance as possible. We rarely need more than a week’s notice unless you project is going to tie up more than one truck for multiple days. We respond to daily calls of "how soon can you get here?" every day, but they are handled on a first come first served order.

Will a sweeper remove stains?

No. A sweeper picks up stuff that is on the ground. Just as a hand push broom or vacuum cleaner would.

How do I know you were there when you said you were?

Along with our service logs that are left or emailed to you, you may request the GPS tracking report to be emailed to you. It will show exactly where the truck was, how fast it was moving, its path and direction of travel and the time. This report is available up to one year from the time of service. With prior arrangements, you may also request a photo of the completed job.

What happens to the trash the sweeper picks up?

It can be dumped at your site/property. Most of our sweepers can dump into your dumpster for trash and litter. This costs you nothing and we clean around the dumpster after using it.

For an additional charge it can be hauled from your site to the dump.

How often should I sweep?

This totally depends on the traffic and how much litter or debris is there. Something to consider is the more frequent you sweep, the less expensive each sweep is, because it doesn’t take us as long.

What is the difference between a broom and regenerative air sweeper?

In very simple terms it is like the difference between using a push broom with a dust pan or a vacuum cleaner. While both use steel bristled gutter brooms to scrub the surface and send the debris to the center of the machine to be picked up, the broom sweeper uses a huge main broom at the back to sweep the material onto the elevator system and then into the hopper, while a regenerative air machine will use a pick up head that has a blast orifice in it to swirl and make the debris airborne in the pick-up head to be sucked into the hopper. A regenerative machine also used the same air circulating in the system as opposed to exhausting it outside. Our large regenerative air machine has a main broom inside of the pickup head, giving it the best of both type sweepers.

Pool Filling FAQs

When does the clock start?

The clock starts when the truck begins it journey to your water source for water trucks or the site for sweepers. If you are in the metropolitan area, it stops when we leave your site. If you are outside then it stops when the truck returns to town. If your water source is not located on your site drive time from the water source to your site would be included in your charges.

Why the fuel or trip charges?

If you drive in the valley, you know that traffic doesn’t flow smoothly especially during the rush hour. We must cover fuel and labor cost. There are many variables. Locations inside of the Phoenix Metro area we will charge from point of deployment (one way trip) and until the job is complete. Locations outside of the Phoenix Metro area, such as but not limited to Anthem, Buckeye, Apache Junction, Casa Grande. North Scottsdale and Maricopa; basically anyplace with a stretch of highway between there and Phoenix, the clock keeps running until they get back to the metropolitan area. We will round up by the ¼ hour. Note: point of deployment doesn’t mean what yard, it means from wherever the truck comes from.. We do a lot of work on the edges of the metro area, so just because you are on the outskirts does not equate to huge charges.

What does Maricopa County Air Quality department have to do with the service?

Due to the failure of Maricopa County to meet the EPA’s air quality standards for PM10, federal funding for roads and improvements is in jeopardy for the county. Maricopa County Air Quality department has modeled their rules after those of Clark County, Nevada (Clark County met the standards using these rules). Maricopa County has added inspectors to ensure enforcement of the rules at all hours, which additionally requires all Water Truck and Water Pull drivers to be certified and registered with them. All Agua Trucks LLC water truck drivers are registered and certified. Agua Trucks LLC is also a registered subcontractor with Maricopa County. The new rules are available in their entirety on the Maricopa County Air Quality department website – www.maricopa.gov/aq/.

Do you deliver Potable (drinking) water?

The simple answer is, no. By definition; potable water is safe to drink or bathe in. Pool water by definition is non-potable after you have added all your chemicals and due to the fact it is not contained (covered). That said, our trucks are not rated as potable water because the tanks are steel, the pumps are cast iron and the top is open. The water source will be potable going into our tanks, but would not be certified so coming out of our tanks. All Agua Trucks Inc tanks are labeled “NON POTABLE”. The pools we have filled have had the water tested and have only required standard start-up chemicals to be added, just as you would filling from a garden hose.

Can I get my pool filled the same day I call you?

No. A pool fill takes several hours and advanced scheduling is required. Generally two working days is the shortest notice you can give, but to insure your day, please call one week in advance if at all possable.

My pool is being built/serviced and they tell me I need it filled as soon as they are done, but they don’t know what day that is. How do I schedule that?

This is common. Your contractor may not know the end date when they start your pool but the closer it gets they have a better idea. We only need a week notice to insure you fill. So give us the week notice and keep us advised if and when the day changes. We will work closely with you.